From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Poor design of a Bentley 50 body and the subsequent order for a modified second body from Park Wards.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 111\1\ scan0114 | |
| Date | 14th July 1938 | |
| Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 80H BY.9/G.14.7.38. SECOND BODY, BENTLEY 50. In a discussion with Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} on Tuesday afternoon, it was settled that there was no real reason for producing a wood and aluminium body, even as a yard stick, as the ride on the Bentley 50 was so good as to completely wipe out in the minds of the Park Wards representatives the disabilities due to bad design in the body and bad finish. The one outstanding feature which they took away with them was the excellence of the ride, which satisfied them that certain alterations could be made to make the body practicable. In view of the facts, Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} therefore arranged to meet Mr. Falconer on the Wednesday, after pointing out to him on the 'phone from Derby that the two features which demanded modification were :- (a). The provision of a box section at the bottom of the body for mounting purposes. (b). Improvement of the front pillars. In the meantime, Park Wards agreed that there was bad finish in many parts, which they were prepared to eliminate in the future. As a body of this type did not mean a lot of draughtsman's work, it should be possible to obtain a body of this type much more quickly. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} has now informed me an order has been placed with Park Wards for a 2nd body incorporating the above modifications and a delivery date of 8 weeks has been promised by Park Wards. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||